Vending machine apparatus

ABSTRACT

A vending machine of the type having a selection carriage movable between front and rear stacks each containing several vertically extending columns of a merchandiseable commodity (e.g. different brands of cigarettes). The shifting mechanism for controlling the movement of the selection carriage is spring biased so that the carriage is normally driven by a single direction motor toward the rear stack. Upon actuation of a selector button for one of the brands of merchandise in a front column, a reversing relay is actuated energizing a solenoid and thereby setting the shifting mechanism so that the selection carriage is driven toward the front stack.

United States Patent Lotspeich [45] Apr.2, 1974 VENDING MACHINE APPARATUS [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Gross-Given Manufacturing Co., St.

Paul, Minn.

22 Filed: May 17,1972 21 App]. No.: 253,991

221/129 [51] Int. Cl. H01h 47/00 [58] Field of Search 74/40, 42, 75; 310/80,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,908,172 10/1959 Gross 74/40 2,427,898 9/1947 Burrows 310/34 Joseph A. Lotspeich, St. Paul, Minn.

Primary Examiner-J. D. Miller Assistant Examiner-I-Iarry E. Moose, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Merchant, Gould, Smith & Edell [57] ABSTRACT A vending machine of the type having a selection carriage movable between front and rear stacks each containing several vertically extending columns of a merchandiseable commodity (e.g. different brands of cigarettes). The shifting mechanism for controlling the movement of the selection carriage is spring biased so that the carriage is normally driven by a single direction motor toward the rear stack. Upon actuation of a selector button for one of the brands of merchandise in a front column, a reversing relay is actuated energizing a solenoid and thereby setting the shifting mechanism so that the selection carriage is driven toward the front stack.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 21914 "3.801 876 sum 1 or 2 VENDING MACHINE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to apparatus for selectively determining the directional movement of a reciprocatory element and finds'a particularly desirable application in vending machine units of the dual stack type.

2. Cross Reference to Related Patents:

See U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,172, issued Oct. 13, 1959, entitled Power Transmission Mechanism Having A Reciprocatory Element Selectively Operative In Spaced Operating Zones and assigned to the same assignee as the present application for letters patent.

Description of the Prior Art Vending machines for dispensing various brands of packaged goods such as cigarettes, food items (e.g. candy bars), and the like are finding ever increasing usage. In such dispensing units, different brands of a merchandiseable commodity (e.g. different brands of cigarettes) are each stored in a different one of a plurality of vertically extending columns or magazines. These merchandise-containing magazines are positioned in a side-by-side relationship and such a grouping of magazines is commonly referred to as a stack. To allow for the dispensing of a greater number of brands (or different types) of merchandise, the presently available vending machines typically contain two stacks (i.e. a front and a rear stack in terms of their placement within the vending machine). To dispense a chosen item, a selection carriage normally positioned in a neutral position between the front and rear stacks is selectively moveable toward a particular magazine in either the front, or rear stack dependent upon the selector button actuated by the user of the machine. The selection carriage then ejects the desired merchandiseable commodity from theproper magazine into a delivery tray which conveys the selected item to the customer through an opening in the front cabinet wall of the vending machine. I

The above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,172 discloses and claims apparatus for selectively moving the merchandise selection carriage between the front and rear stacks of a dual-stack vending machine. The apparatus disclosed in this patent includes an electrical motor which drives a rotary disc element or motor cam for imparting feeding and return movements to the selection carriage. To shift such movement of the selection carriage between the front and rear stacks, a connecting rod or pitman has one end operatively coupled to the motor cam and the opposite end to the selection carriage. A shiftable plate is moveably attached to the connecting rod for engaging either one of a pair' of studs projecting outwardly from the motor cam so'as to shift the field of movement of the connecting rod and, thus, transfer the feeding and return m ovemnts of the selection carriage from the front to the 'rear stack or vice versa. A pair of electrical switches are provided, each energizing a different solenoid for positioning the moveable plate inengagement with the proper one of the two studs and thereby determine the direction of movement of the selection carriage.

- While the apparatus described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,172 represented a significant advance within the art in terms of providing simplified and reliable means for dispensing articles from a dual stack vending machine, the apparatus is still more expensive to manufacture and to maintain in proper operating condition than is desirable. This is particularly true with respect to the means (i.e. electrical switches and solenoids) utilized to set the reciprocatory pitman for causing either frontward or rearward movement of the selection carriage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus for selectively shifting the movement of a reciprocatory member between a first direction on one side of a neutral position and a second direction on the opposing side of the neutral position. This apparatus finds a highly desirable application in vending machines of the dual stack type for controlling the movement of the merchandise selection carriage between the front and rear stacks.

More specifically, the inventive apparatus is an im provement on the carriage shifting mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,172 and includes spring biasing means (e.g. an extension spring) for normally urging the shiftable member into a position which provides movement of the reciprocatory member (i.e. the pitman or connecting rod) in a first longitudinal direction. A single, electrically energizeable solenoid is preferably mounted on the connecting rod and is connected to the shiftable member for overcoming the bias of the extension spring urging the shiftable member into a position which provides movement of the connecting rod in a second direction opposite from the first direction. In utilizing this apparatus in conjunction with a dual-stack vending machine of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,172, a drive arm is pivotably attached to both the connecting arm and selection carriage. Relay means in electrical communication with the solenoid are mounted adjacent the drive arm and include latch means for normally maintaining the relay in an open position preventing energization of the solenoid until actuation of the relay means by depression of a particular merchandise selector button causing release of the latch means. In the course of the movement of the connecting arm in the second direction, the drive arm engages the latch means relatching it and thereby resetting the apparatus in its normal condition.

The present invention represents a considerable simplification of the shifting mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,172. This simplification (i.e. the elimination of a solenoid and a solenoid energizing switch) results, of course, in a considerable reduction in manufacturing costs. Further, the apparatus is considerably more reliable than that heretofore available allowing utilization of a single permanent duty solenoid operating on a pull-basis thereby assuring proper seating of the solenoid with a resultant increase in the magnetic field operating on the solenoid plunger. Thus, vis-a-vis the apparatus presently available, the present invention substantially reduces the manufacturing costs while increasing the reliability of shifting mechanisms for controlling the movement of a reciprocatory element.

Brief Description of the Drawings Turning now to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts of the invention throughout the several views;

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the present invention illustrating the shift actuating means of the invention in both its normal position (in solid lines) and in its actuating position (in dotted lines);

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the shifting mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the shifting mechanism at the half-cycle point for both rearward movement of the reciprocatory member (in solid lines) and forward movement of the reciprocatory member (in dotted lines);

FIG. 3 is a schematical view of the electrical circuitry for energizing the shifting mechanism in its normal or non-shift state; and

FIG. 4 is a diagramatical view of the electrical circuitry shown in FIG. 3 in its carriage shift state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to a description of the preferred embodiment, the numeral generally designates the apparatus provided by the present invention for shifting the field of movement of a reciprocatory element. While this apparatus can find widely divergent applications, it is particularly advantageous when utilized in vending machines of a dual stack type such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,908,172. Consequently, the description herein will be limited to this application of the present invention. A

Briefly, such vending machines dispense articles of merchandise responsive to insertion of one or more coins in a receptacle therefor and are provided with a moveable selection carriage (not shown in the drawings) which is mounted for reciprocatory feed and return movement in either a forward or rearward direction about a neutral position generally centrally disposed between the front and rear merchandise stacks. This movement allows selective dispensing of the items stored in each of the vertically extending columns or magazines (not shown in the drawings) via an opening in the front cabinet wall of the vending machine. The construction of a highly preferred selection carriage and dispensing system is fully described in the abovementioned US. Pat. No. 2,908,172 and need not be described herein in further detail.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fragmented vending machine chassis 12 is shown on which is mounted the present shift mechanism 10. The shift mechanism 10 includes a disc-like member 14 which is rotated in a clockwise direction by an electrical motor 15 (situated behind rotatable member 14) having a drive shaft 15a on which rotatable member 14 is rigidly mounted. The member 14 includes an outwardly projecting portion or cam 16 positioned along the peripheral edge thereof. A motor hold switch 18 having an outwardly projecting push button element 19 is engageable' with cam portion 16' of rotatable member 14 for de-energizing' the electrical motoras subsequently explained. A pair of pin-like elements 20a and 20b are attached to the motor cam 14 so as to project outwardly therefrom in a diametrically opposed relationship on opposite sides of drive shaft 15:: (i.e. on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of motorcam' 14). Finally, for the purpose subsequently explained, motor cam 14 includes a pair of spaced arcuate flanges 22a and 22b concentric with-pin element 20a and a pair of arcuate flanges 23a and 23b concentric with pin element 20b.

I A pitman or connecting rod 25 is operatively coupled to the disc-like element 14 and is moveable in opposite first and second longitudinal directions relative to member 14. The operative coupling of connecting rod 25 and motor cam 14 is effected by a shiftable member 28 moveably attached to an end portion of connecting rod 25 by a central shaft 30 attached to member 28 and extending through an elongated slot 31 in rod 25. A retainer ring 32 extends about shaft 30 to secure shiftable member 28 to connecting rod 25. As shown, shiftable member 28 is of a generally elliptical shape having two oppositely disposed semi-circular recesses 34a and 34b in opposite peripheral edges thereof. Recesses 34a and 34b are suitable for engaging the pin elements 20a and 20b, respectively, dependent on the positioning of connecting rod 25 to motor cam 14.

A second end of connecting rod 25 (opposite from the attachment of shiftable member 28 thereto) is pivotably connected to a first end of a drive arm 36 by a pin 37. A second end of drive arm 36 is pivotably attached to a shaft 38 by a pin 39. The drive arm 36 is operatively connected to the merchandise selection carriage (not shown) so as to cause movement of the carriage toward one of the front or rear stacks of the vending machine (eg the rear stack) on movement of connecting rod 25 in a direction toward the right in FIGS. 1 and 2. Likewise, the selection carriage is moved toward the other-stack (e.g. the front stack) upon movement of connecting rod 25 toward the left in FIGS. 1 and 2. 7

Shift control means, generally designated 40, are pro vided for moving the shiftable member 28 into engagement with a selected one of the pin elements 20a and 20b and thereby control the field of movement of connecting rod 25 (i.e. toward the right or left in FIGS. 1 and 2) as subsequently described in greater detail. Means 40 include a single, electrically energizable solenoid 42 attached to connecting arm 25 by screws or other suitable means. The solenoid 42 includes a plunger element 44 operable on a pull-basis and having its outer end rigidly attached to a shift arm 45 The arm 45 is also connected to the shaft 30 (and the attached shiftable member 28) by a pin 48. An elongated extension spring 50 has a first end attached to shift arm 45 and a second end attached to the pin 37 so as to urge plunger element 44 outward from solenoid 42. Additionally, this biases the shiftable member 28 toward the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 causing the recess 34a in member 28 to engage the pin element 20a. Thus, as a result of the bias provided by extension spring 50, the shiftable member 28 is normally in engagement with pin 20a. However, upon energization of solenoid 42, plunger element 45 is pulled inwardly into solenoid 42 (i.e. toward the right) and the attached shift arm 45 is also moved in the same direction causing recess 34b of shiftable member'28 to engage the pin element 20b.

Shift actuating means, generally designated 55, are mounted on a bracket 56 attached to chassis 12 generally adjacent drive arrn 36. Shift actuating means include an electrical switch 57 mounted on bracket 56 and having a push button element 57a extending generally vertically downward therefrom. An inverted, generally L-shaped switch actuating arm 60 is pivotably attached to bracket 56 by a pin 62. The upper surface of a transverse portion 60d of the arm 60 is engageable with push button element 57a and an elongated lower arm portion 60b extends downwardly so as to be engageable with the drive arm 36 upon leftward movement of arm 36. An extension spring 65 is provided to urge actuating arm 60 away from push button element 57a (i.e. so as to be biased for counter clockwise rotation) closing the relay switch 57. As shown, extension spring 65 has a first end attached to switch actuating arm 60 and a second end attached to a latching member'68 pivotable about a pin 69. Latching member 68 is operatively connected (i.e. magnetically) to a relay coil 70 via an electromagnet core 70a mounted in the center of coil 70. In its normal or non-shift position shown in FIG. 1, the latching member 68 engages switch actuating arm 60 retaining the arm 60 in a position depressing push button element 57a and thereby maintaining switch 57 in an open position. To close switch 57, latching member 68 is rotated in a clockwise direction against the bias of spring 65 by the magnet attraction of electro-magnet 70a releasing the switch actuating arm 60 from member 68 and allowing arm 60 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction away from push button element 57a.

Turning now to the electrical circuitry used in conjunction with the above-described apparatus, FIG. 3

schematically illustrates the circuitry for operating the shift mechanism through a normal or non-shift-cycle.

Assumefor purposes of this description that a selec-' gizes the vend motor causing the disc-like element 14 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. With extension spring 50 urging shiftable member 28 in engagement with pin elementa, rotation of disc-like member 14 causes member 28 to be guided by arcuate flanges 22a and 22bresulting in movement of connecting rod 25 toward the right in FIGS. 1 and 2. This.

movement of connecting rod 25 causes the selection carriage to move toward the rear stack, selection switch 80 having energized the appropriate pusher element (not shown) on the selection carriage to eject the selected item from the stack as the carriage moves through its delivery stroke. At'the end of the delivery stroke, the switch arm 73a of carriage switch 73 is returned to contact 73b by apparatusnot shown and thereby resetting switch 73. Prior to this point in the dispensing cycle, motor cam 16 disengages push button element 19 of motor hold switch 18 causing switch arm 18a to move between stationary contacts 18b and 18c thereby continuing to maintain motor 14 in an energized state. The energization of vend motor 14 continues through motor hold switch 18 and shiftable member 28 continues to be guided in a circular motion by arcuate flanges 22a and22b until a full revolution of member 14 has occurred whereupon the cam portion 16 engages the push button element 19 opening motor hold switch 18 and de-energizing the vend motor 15 terminating the dispensing cycle.

The electrical circuitry shown in FIG. 4 is provided for operating the above-described apparatus through a shift-cycle (i.e. to drive the carriage toward the front stack). To accomplish this, a selection switch 82 is moved to a closed position upon the depression of a selector button (not shown) on the front of the vending machine. The closing of selection switch 82 energizes a selection coil 83 which moves arm 73a of carriage switch 73 into engagement with contact 73c. This actu ates the proper elements on the selection carriage (not shown for dispensing the desired item and, in addition, energizes the vend motor 15 for rotating the member 14. The closing of selection switch 82 also energizes reversing relay coil causing latching member 68 to move apart from switch actuating arm 60. This allows push button element 57a to move outward to a position in which relay switch 57 energizes the solenoid 42. As explained previously, energization of solenoid 42 results in the. shiftable member 28 moving toward the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 against the bias of extension spring 50 causing member 28 to engage pin element 28b. As disc-like element 14 rotates, the ellipticalshaped member 28 is guided in a circular motion by arcuate flanges 23a andr23b resulting in the connecting arm 25 moving from its neutral position toward the left inFIGS. l and 2. This movement of connecting arm 25 causes forward movement of the selection carriage. During the dispensing cycle, the carriage switch 73 is reset and the motor hold switch 18 is actuated as described previously. Upon reaching the half-cycle point (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2), the drive arm 36 engages the switch actuating arm'60 causing it to pivot in a clockwise direction about pin62 so as to re-engage the latch member 68 thereby resetting the shift actuating means 55 in its normal or non-shift position. The disc-like member 14 continues to be driven by vend motor 15 through the remaining half cycle whereupon the cam portion 16 engages the push button element 19 of motor hold switch 18 breaking the electrical circuit to the motor and terminating the dispensing cycle.

The present apparatus having been described solely in reference to a particularly preferred embodiment thereof, numerous modifications to the described apparatus will be readily apparent to the artisan. For example, numerous design modifications to the shift actuating means 55 can be effected which will still provide the function intended of this appartus. This being the case, it is my intent to belimited solely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the type including a shiftable member movably. attached to a reciprocatory element and engageable with either one of a pair of spaced elements on a rotatable member for shifting'the field'of movement of the reciprocatory element, the improvement comprising:

a. spring biasing means for urging said shiftable member into engagement with a first one of said pair of spaced elements, to provide movement of said reciprocatory element in a first field;

b. an electrically energizable solenoid operatively connected to said shiftable member for overcoming the bias of said spring biasing means and for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a'second one of said pair of spaced elements upon energization of said solenoid, to provide movement of the reciprocatory element in a second field; and, c. shift actuating means for selectively energizing the solenoid, comprising: i. electrical switch means in circuit with said solenoid; and, ii. latch means operatively connected with said switch means for normally maintaining said switch means in a nonconducting mode to prevent energization of said solenoid until release of said latch means.-

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shift actuating means further includes electrical relay means operatively connected to said latch means for releasing said latchmeans from said switch means to allow electrical closing of said switch means upon activation of said relay means.

3. The apparatus of claim2, further includinga drive arm attached to the reciprocatory element and engageable with said latch means to releaseably re-engage said latch means with said switch means during movement of the reciprocatory element in said second field of movement. f

4. Dispensing machine apparatus for controlling'the movement of a merchandise selection carriage, comprising:

a. a rotatable member having a pair of elements projecting outwardly therefrom and positioned on opposite sides of an axis of rotation of said member;

b. connecting-rod means operatively coupled to said rotatable member and including a drive arm attachable to said selection carriage, for moving in opposite first and second directions relative to said rotatable member; c. shiftable member movably attached to said connecting rod means and including a pair of recesses for each engaging a different one of said pair of projecting elements on said rotatable member to v shift thefield of movement of said connecting rod means between said first and second directions;

d. means for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a selected one of said pair of projecting elements, including:

i. spring biasing means normally urging said shiftable memberinto engagement with a first one of said projecting'elements for providing movement of said connecting rod means in said first direction; and,

. an electrically energ'izable solenoid mounted on said connecting rod means and operatively connected with said shiftable member for overcoming the bias of said spring biasing means and for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a second one'of said pair of projecting elements upon energization of said solenoid, to provide movement of said connecting rod means in said second direction; and a e. shift actuating means mounted adjacent said drive.

arm, including electrical switch means in circuit a tion of said relay means. I 

1. Apparatus of the type including a shiftable member movably attached to a reciprocatory element and engageable with either one of a pair of spaced elements on a rotatable member for shifting the field of movement of the reciprocatory element, the improvement comprising: a. spring biasing means for urging said shiftable member into engagement with a first one of said pair of spaced elements, to provide movement of said reciprocatory element in a first field; b. an electrically energizable solenoid operatively connected to said shiftable member for overcoming the bias of said spring biasing means and for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a second one of said pair of spaced elements upon energization of said solenoid, to provide movement of the reciprocatory element in a second field; and, c. shift actuating means for selectively energizing the solenoid, comprising: i. electrical switch means in circuit with said solenoid; and, ii. latch means operatively connected with said switch means for normally maintaining said switch means in a nonconducting mode to prevent energization of said solenoid until release of said latch means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said shift actuating means further includes electrical relay means operatively connected to said latch means for releasing said latch means from said switch means to allow electrical closing of said switch means upon activation of said relay means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a drive arm attached to the reciprocatory element and engageable with said latch means to releaseably re-engage said latch means with said switch means during movement of the reciprocatory element in said second field of movement.
 4. Dispensing machine apparatus for controlling the movement of a merchandise selection carriage, comprising: a. a rotatable member having a pair of elements projecting outwardly therefrom and positioned on opposite sides of an axis of rotation of said member; b. connecting rod means operatively coupled to said rotatable member and including a drive arm attachable to said selection carriage, for moving in opposite first and second directions relative to said rotatable member; c. shiftable member movably attached to said connecting rod means and including a pair of recesses for each engaging a different one of said pair of projecting elements on said rotatable member to shift the field of movement of said connecting rod means between said first and second directions; d. means for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a selected one of said pair of projecting elements, including: i. spring biasing means normally urging said shiftable member into engagement with a first one of said projecting elements for providing movement of said connecting rod means in said first direction; and, ii. an electrically energizable solenoid mounted on said connecting rod means and operatively connected with said shiftable member for overcoming the bias of said spring biasing means and for moving said shiftable member into engagement with a second one of said pair of projecting elements upon energization of said solenoid, to provide movement of said connecting rod means in said seconD direction; and e. shift actuating means mounted adjacent said drive arm, including electrical switch means in circuit with said solenoid, and latch means operatively connected to said switch means for normally maintaining said switch means in an open position to prevent energization of said solenoid until release of said latch means, wherein said drive arm is engageable with latch means to releasably re-engage said latch means with said switch means during movement of said connecting rod means in said second direction.
 5. The vending machine apparatus of claim 4, wherein said shift actuating means further includes electrical relay means operatively connected to said latch means for releasing said latch means upon actuation of said relay means. 